Marple



R. MARPLE LATCHING MECHANISM Feb. 28, 1956 Filed April 21, 195] 2 Sheets-Sheei l INVENTOR. 770]]0 far/vie.

Feb. 28, 1956 R. MARPLE 2,736,186

LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 2l, 195] 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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United States Patent O LATCHING MECHANISM Rollo Marple, Jackson, Mich., assignor to Hancock Manufacturing Company, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 21, 1951, Serial No. 222,182

3 Claims. (Cl. 70--142) This invention relates to latching mechanisms, and more particularly to latches adapted for use with closure members such as the deck or trunk lids of automotive vehicles and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved latching mechanism especially adapted for the deck lids of automotive vehicles and similar installations, which eliminates the necessity for a separate handle in unlatching the mechanism, but which operates merely by movement of the conventional key lock.

It is also an object to provide an improved latching mechanism of the above character, having complementary members which cooperate to wedgingly engage ea-ch other when in latching position, whereby closing movement of the closure member automatically forces the latch into such wedging engagement.

It is a further object to provide an improved latching mechanism of the above character, having a pail' of bolt elements in scissors arrangement which are spreadable during closing movement of the closure member, and a locking element cooperable with said bolt elements and normally urged into its locking position, the locking element being movable into unlocking position by key-actuated means, whereby the closure member may be opened without movement of an additional handle.

It is also an object to provide an improved latch mechanism having the above described characteristics, and in which the bolt elements will automatically retain the locking element in its unlocking position, and will allow the locking element to again move into locked position when the closure member is closed.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the improved latching mechanism shown in its latched and locked condition and in cooperation with a keeper structure, the keeper structure being shown in cross-section.

Figure 2 is a crosssectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l and showing the cooperation of the locking slide and latching elements.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l and showing the pivotal supports for the latching elements; and

Figure 4 is an elevational view similarly to Fig. l but showing the parts in their unlatched condition.

The invention is shown for illustrative purposes as being applied to the conventional type of deck lid used on automotive vehicles and having a reinforcing member 11, the lid cooperating with the deck 12 of the vehicle to cover the storage compartment, and movable in a vertical direction away from the deck. lt will be understood however that the principles of the invention are equally applicable to other installations wherein a closure member moves longitudinally with respect to its complementary member,

that is, moves directly away from rather than transversely v Mice to the complementary member during initial opening movement.

The invention comprises in general a latching mechvanism having a mounting plate generally indicated at 13 which is mounted adjacent one edge of the reinforcing member 11, and cooperates with a keeper mechanism generally indicated at 14 which is secured to an appropriate portion of the deck 12. The bolt elements of the latching mechanism comprise a pair of bolts 15 and 16 which are substantially identical in design and which are supported in a scissors arrangement, so as to cooperate with a wedging member 17 and a pair of spaced latching surfaces or abutments 18 of the keeper mechanism.

The mounting plate 13 is of generally rectangular shape and is provided with a plurality of boltopenings 19 through which extend securing bolts 21. The apertures 19 are provided in oppositely disposed llanges 22 which are in flush relation with the interior surface of member 11 when the latching mechanism is assembled. The mounting plate is recessed between the mounting flanges 22 to provide a flat web portion 23, and a deck plate 24 is secured across the lower portion of-the mounting plate in spaced parallel relation with web 23, the lower bolt openings 19 penetra-ting this deck plate.

The bolt elements 15 and 16 are pivotally mounted between the deck plate 24 and the web 23 adjacent the lower edge of the mounting plate. In particular, these bolts are supported by a pivot pin 25 which extends through the web and deck plate, the lower portions of the bolts extending outwardly of the web and deck plate, as'

wing, and an upper or locking portion within the contines of the deck plate and web, and which cooperates with the locking member. In particular, bolt element 15 is tlush with deck plate 2d, and the wing 26 thereof extends transversely toward web 23. On the other hand, bolt element 16 is iush with web 23 and the wing 27Ythereof extends tow-ard deck plate 24.

The locking arm of bolt element 15 has a lateral bend 28, and the upper edge of the arm is provided with a notched portion 29, which as is later described, serves as a retaining surface for the locking member. The inner edge 31 of the arm, immediately below portion 29, serves. as a locking surface. 16 likewise has a. lateral bend 32, and the upper edge thereof has a notched retaining portion 33 and a locking surface 34. It Will be seen from an examination of Fig. 2 that locking surfaces 31 and 34 are substantially in a plane, so that they are simultaneously cooperable with the locking member as is hereinafter described.

Means are provided for normally urging the scissors bolt elements into closed relation. This means preferably comprises a coil spring 35 surrounding pivot pin 25, the coil spring having arms 36 and 37 engageable respectively. with the locking arms of bolt elements 15 and 16. The arrangement is such that the arms 36 and 37 of the spring are tensioned toward each other, thereby tending to move the locking arms of the bolt elements into adjacent rela.`

tion, in which position, as shown in Fig. 4, the l'atching` portions of bolts 15 and 16 will also be in adjacent relation.

ment with the oppositely disposed inclined latching Sulfaces or abutments 18. Theresulting latching engagef Patented Feb. 28, 1956 The locking Iarm of bolt element ment of the members is such that the bolt elements will be wedged between the cam 17 and the keeper surfaces 18, thus acting to pull the deck lid inwardly and to prevent relative movement between the deck lid and the trunk body.

The locking means for preventing closing movement of the bolt elements comprises a locking member 39 which is slidably mounted on web 23 of the mounting plate. The slide comprises a relatively narrow lower portion having a lateral ange 41 at its lower edge, and a relatively wide upper portion which is held against lateral movement by a guide plate 42. This guide plate has side anges 43 secured to the web 23 on either side of the locking slide, so that the slide is constrained to movement in a vertical direction. The slide is also provided with an interior cam surface 44 within the upper portion thereof. This cam surface is in the form of an irregularly shaped aperture in the upper portion of the slide, within which is disposed an actuating cam 45. Cam 45 is preferably in the form of a circular disc eccentrically mounted on a key shaft 46 which extends through an aperture 47 in the reinforcing member 11 to a conventional key lock 48 mounted in the trunk lid. Cam 45 is engageable with cam surface 44, and'it will therefore be seen that rotary movement of the shaft 46 will cause the slide to move from a lower position as shown in Fig. l to an upper position as shown in Fig. 4, by reason of the change in angularity of the eccentric cam 45. It should be noted that the shaft 46 isdisposed to one side of the centerline of the slide, so that the width of aperture within which the cam is disposed is suiiicient to allow the cam to move between its upper and lower positions. The lower end of the aperture is provided with a lug 49, and a coil spring 51 is secured to the lug and constantly urges the locking slide toward its lower position as shown in Fig. 1. The lower end of spring 51 may be secured to a stationary lug 52 within a recess 53 at the upper edge of deck plate 24. Additional guide means 54 in the fonn of tabs extending from web 23 are preferably provided for the lower end of locking slide 39.

It will be seen that in its lower position the locking flange 41 of the locking slide is disposed between locking surfaces 31 and 34 of the bolt elements, so that these elements may not be brought into their closed position. On the other hand, when the locking slide is in its upper position, as shown in Fig. 4, the bolt elements may freely move between their open and closed positions, and when in their closed position the retaining notches 2.9 and 33 will underlie the flange 41, to prevent spring 51 from moving the locking slide into its lower position.

In operation, assuming an initial condition, as shown in Fig. 1, in which the bolt elements are engaged in latching relation with the keeper 14, the locking arms of the bolt elements will be in open position on either side of locking flange 41. If it is attempted to raise the trunk lid, the initial upward movement of bolt elements and 16 will cause simultaneous closing movement of the locking arms of these elements, since the inclined nature of keeper surfaces 18 will cam these bolt elements toward their closed position. When this occurs, the abutment of locking surfaces 31 and 34with flange 41 will prevent further rota tive movement of the bolts, thus preventing opening of the trunk lid. It will be observed that when the mechanism is latched and locked as described above, the spring 35 will tend to maintain the abutting relation of surfaces 31 and 34 against ange 41, thus preventing looseness or rattling of the latching elements. Since the cam 45 is rotated toits position as: shown in Fig. 1, the spring 51 will hold the locking slide in its downward position. For this purpose, it is preferred that the key lock 48 be one wherein the key is withdrawable only when the shaft 46 is in'its locking position, that is, with slide 39 in its lower position.

When it is desired to unlock and lift the trunk lid, it is merely necessary'to'rotate shaft 46 by means of the key to a position from its locked position, so that cam 45 engages surface 44 to move the locking slide 39 to its upper position, as shown in Fig. 4. During this action the key movement is resisted only by spring 51, and thus requires little effort. After this movement has occurred, the flange 41 will no longer be in obstructing relation with the surfaces 31 and 34, and nothing will prevent closing movement of the locking arms. Subsequent lifting movemeut of the trunk lid, such as by means of a fixed or stationary handle (not shown) will cause the bolt elements to be cammed together by abutments 18. It'will be observed that even before this lifting movement takes place, spring 35 will tend to force bolts 15 and 16 against cam 17. However, the strength of spring 35 is preferably such that it is not sufficient to produce any actual movement of the bolt elements against the weight of the trunk lid. As the bolt elements are withdrawn from the keeper, however, the spring 35 Will move these elements toward their closed position as shown in Fig. 4. When in this position retaining surfaces 29 and 33 of the bolts will underlie flange 41, thus preventing downward movement of the slide. As a result of this construction the key in lock 48 may be subsequently removed by rotating shaft 46 into its original position, as shown in Fig. 1. Under these conditions, the cam 45 will leave its engagement with cam surface 44 but the slide will nevertheless be held in its upper position by bolt surfaces 29 and 33. When it is later desired to reclose the trunk, it is merely necessary to force the lid downwardly, whereupon rounded edges 38 of the bolts will engage wedging member 17, spreading the bolts so that flange 41 may drop between the bolt locking arms. The parts will then be back in their original position as shown in Fig. 1.

It will thus be seen that a construction is provided which utilizes the advantageous wedging engagement of the latching parts, but which eliminates the necessity for a separately movable handle for unlocking or unlatching the bolt, only the conventional key being necessary for this purpose. Furthermore, the construction permits the removal of the key from the lock after the trunk has been opened so that the key may be used for other purposes or,

if the key is attached to a key holder having other keys, the other keys may be used. The closure member may then be closed without the necessity of reinserting the key.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modication, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a latching mechanism, a pair of bolts independently pivoted on a common axis in crossed relation, each of said bolts having a latching arm and a locking arm extending in substantially opposite directions, said bolts being relatively movable between latching and unlatching positions, said pairs of arms being adjacent each other when in unlatching position and spread apart when in latching position, a pair of curved edges on said latching arms, said edges facing each other and being adapted simultaneously to engage opposite sides of a central keeper element when moved thereagainst, whereby said bolts will be spread into their latching position, a locking slide movable between unlocking and locking positions, said slide when in its locking position having a portion in obstructing relation with said locking arms to prevent said unlatching movement, a spring urging said slide into its vlocking position, means for moving said slide from'its locking to its unlocking position, and a retaining portion ently pivoted on a common axis in crossed relation,

spaanse each of said bolts having a latching arm and a locking arm extending in substantially opposite directions, said bolts being relatively movable between latching and unlatching positions, said pairs of arms being adjacent each other when in unlatching position and spread apart when in latching position, resilient means urging said bolts into unlatching position, a pair of curved edges on said latching arms, said edges facing each other and being adapted simultaneously to engage opposite sides of a central keeper element when moved thereagainst, whereby said bolts will be spread into their latching position, a locking slide movable between unlocking and locking positions, said slide when in its locking position having a portion in obstructing relation with said locking arms to prevent said unlatching movement, a spring urging said slide into its locking position, means for moving said slide from its locking to its unlocking position, and a retaining portion on at least one of said locking arms movable into obstructing relation with said slide when the bolts are moved into unlatching position, whereby said slide will be held in its unlocking position.

3. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate, a pair of bolts independently pivoted on a common axis adjacent one end of said mounting plate in crossed relation, each of said bolts having a latching arm and a locking arm extending in substantially opposite directions, said bolts being relatively movable between latching and unlatching positions, said pairs of arms being adjacent each other when in unlatching position and spread apart when in latching position, resilient means urging said bolts into unlatching position, a pair of curved edges on said latching arms, said edges facing each other and being adapted simultaneously to engage opposite sides of a central keeper element when moved thereagainst, whereby said bolts will be spread into their latching position, a locking slide carried by said mounting plate and movable between unlocking and locking positions, said slide when in its locking position having a portion in obstructing relation with said locking arms to prevent said unlatching movement, a spring urging said slide into its locking position, an apertured portion in said locking slide comprising an interior cam surface, means for moving said slide from its locking to its unlocking position, said last-mentioned means comprising a rotatable cam disposed within said apertured portion and engageable with said cam surface, and a retaining portion on at least one of said locking arms movable into obstructing relation with said slide when the bolts are moved into unlatching position, whereby said slide will be held in its unlocking position.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 486,227 Henry Nov. 15, 1892 512,139 Willard Jan. 2, 1894 621,574 Kinsey Mar. 21, 1899 689,074 Ferris Dec. 17, 1901 1,143,653 Smith June 22, 1915 1,493,526 Freysinger May 13, 1924 1,759,707 Paddock May 20, 1930 2,540,686 Milburn Feb. 6, 1951 2,677,262 Vigmostad May 4, 1954 2,683,616 Baker July 13, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 332,207 Italy Nov. 26. 1935 

